Slow-Cooker Boston Baked Beans

The secret to cooking really great Boston baked beans is to heat them on a low and slow setting to allow the beans to soak up its sweet, tangy and savory sauce. Baked beans are a popular American side dish often served during barbecue gatherings and summer patriotic holiday get-togethers. The difference between regular baked beans and the Boston variety is the inclusion of molasses, which dates back to colonial times in New England. Most baked bean recipes, like this one, call for brown sugar which has molasses in it. However, the addition of more molasses adds a deeper level of flavor and lends itself to a darker-colored dish.

Today I have a very easy Boston Bake Beans recipe that is perfect for your next summer gathering. Made with canned beans, the only chopping needed is for the bacon and onions. After cooking both these ingredients everything else goes into a slow cooker to work its magic. Just be sure to check on it once in a while and give it a stir. This will help the beans on the bottom to not overcook, stick, or burn never a good thing. These beans can be made the day before. I think they actually taste better when made the day before and reheated before serving. Enjoy!